Pages

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Kindergarten Kickoff

A couple of weeks ago Shay and I were lamenting over the fact that our big kids were heading off to kindergarten (because weren't we JUST pregnant with them?!?!) and decided that it would be a fun idea to host a Kindergarten Kickoff dinner - something really special just for the kindergarteners and their moms.

Monday was the night! The dining room at the Ranch clubhouse was closed - so it was the perfect spot for our crazy crew :)

We put out note cards - and everyone wrote what they thought each kindergartener was going to grow up to be as well as a word (or two) to describe them. When the cards were filled out, they dropped them into the kids little bags.

This is a chalkboard that I made for my classroom - and it is actually a piece of "art" that I bought at a thrift store for about $2. I covered the glass with paper, taped it down and spray painted the frame yellow. After that was dry I peeled off the paper/tape and painted the glass with two coats of chalkboard paint. Easy!

On the table, I wanted the kids spots to be super cute and bright, so I bought a package of 12x12 primary cardstock and used them as place mats (I used the same cardstock to create their little nameplates as well).

I picked up three Fall garlands at Hobby Lobby and placed them down the center of the table and then brought my faux apples from home to mix in.

I was in charge of decorations and Shay was in charge of cupcakes and OMG they were fabulous!!!

She had a local mom make them and the toppers are the most delicious sugar cookies ever. And don't even get me started on the icing. They were perfection.

I took no pics of the kids eating, but all us mamas had Cobb salads (and yes.... that's my green tea lemonade... hahaha) and all the kids had pizza and fries.

On a whim on Monday afternoon I decided to write Class of 2027 on three of the chalkboard signs that I made and have yet to mount on our back fence. I am sooooooooooo glad that I did because....

One of the most unanticipated gifts of motherhood for me has been this amazing group of women that I am blessed call my friends. I was, admittedly, not a "girls girl" in high school and/or college. I have a LOW tolerance for drama and wasn't very successful at finding girls with similar priorities so I just kind of gave up.

Fast forward a few years, and what started as a Beth Moore Bible Study at Starbucks while I was pregnant with Luke has blossomed into deep, authentic and long lasting friendships. This group of girls has prayed for my kids before they were born, we've cried with and for each other and have had our fair share of laughs. We hold each other accountable, build each other up and love each others kids. I love that our friendships have fostered great friendships among our kids as well. It was so special to get to send our first batch of babies off to kindergarten with a bang.

I have a feeling that 2027 will be here before we know it, and there's no other group of girls I'd rather do all the in between with. Feeling VERY blessed today :)

75 comments
:

You girls are my rock. I cannot imagine going through mommyhood without each and every one of you. Thank you so much for being the creative force and genius behind our party. Love you so much friend! I can't wait until around 2032 when we're in-laws ;).

Amazing!! I have already sent one of my kiddos off to kindergarten, but really didn't know anyone else at the time. Since then we have met a bunch of people in the neighborhood and there is a whole crew starting with my son next year. You have definitely given me some inspiration! Love it!

This was fabulous...,and as I read the last paragraph I teared up. Life can be crazy at times and it's so great to have the best people around to do it with!! And of course I love the peach green tea lemonade on the table!!!! Happy Thursday

Oh my gosh that is so creative and cute!!! You did a great job, mamas!!! I am pinning ideas for sure. :) My tot is starting "preschoolers" for 2-3 year olds in September and I can hardly believe she'll look as old as these kiddos in 3 years. Those little kindergarteners are precious!

What a great idea! You are beyond creative! Wish my kids were starting kindergarten so I could "copy" your idea but since my boys are 14 and 16 guess that's not gonna happen - they barely tolerate first day of school pictures anymore! Good friends are such a blessing - enjoy this new chapter of your lives!

What a great celebration! Those pics with the Class of 2027 signs are priceless. I have a feeling they will resurface at high school graduation. Enjoy every moment! It goes fast...I can't believe my "babies are going into 5th and 7th grades!

Precious! And what a great idea! Just went to a wedding of one of my son's group that started Kindergarten together . . . all the mom's sitting together and dancing with their sons. . . Same feeling .....BLESSED! You will cherish thosefriendships through the years!

I'm about tear up! Kindergarten is such a milestone and I can so relate! Once they start school things change so much. Praying for all of your sweet children as they embark on this new journey.The party looked like a huge success and your decorations were perfect. The chalkboard pics with class of 2027 will be a wonderful pic to look back on for years to come!Have a blessed day.XOXO,Aprilwww.lifeinbucklesberry.blogspot.com

Thanks for your comment - it really was a super fun night.About the cupcakes... Shay makes DELICIOUS desserts... but she doesn't make cupcakes with detailed iced sugar cookie toppers :) The party was about and for the kids and she wanted to do something that would really get THEM excited - which these did. I give Shay major props for doing something that she knew the kids would love and remember.

It was a blast! And the friendship thing is hard - you really have to find girls that you connect with and at the beginning it's work developing bonds. As mommies I think we POUR ourselves into our kids - and it's been nothing but a JOY to have women that I trust completely and love wholeheartedly to talk with, pray with and "do life" with. :)

This whole post seriously melted me. What a perfect idea to have a kick-off dinner like this!! I too got all teary-eyed in the last paragraph! What an incredible blessing to have so many close friends that have kindergarteners as well!! I am right there with you in disbelief that Preston will be there this year. Time sure does fly!

This is amazing -- you are truly inspirational and a wonder woman/mama! It surprises me that mixandmatchmama didn't make the cupcakes herself from one of the recipes on her site, but the ones you ended up with sure look delicious!

About the cupcakes... Shay makes DELICIOUS desserts... but she doesn't make cupcakes with detailed iced sugar cookie toppers :) The party was about and for the kids and she wanted to do something that would really get THEM excited - which these did. I give Shay major props for doing something that she knew the kids would love and remember.

YES!!!!! Love everything about this post. We've got such a great group of kids, and I'm so lucky to call all of their mamas friends! Your last paragraph made me want to come right over in my blardigan and hug your neck. Thank you for the party! And the pictures! Such sweet memories.

Love this idea! While I am in no hurry for Xavier to head off to school, I can't wait to plan something like this for him and his friends! Thank you for sharing Andrea! And good luck to all the little ones starting school this year :)

This is such a fabulous idea!! I loved all of your decorations, so cute and so fun!!! Those cupcakes look amazing!! I'm surprised thought that the Mix and Match Mama didn't whip up some fun back to school bundts or cupcakes herself! But those look amazing and delicious! Such a fun tradition to keep up for your other adorable kiddos too!! Thanks for sharing!!!

Thanks so much for your sweet comment! And about the cupcakes...Shay makes DELICIOUS desserts... but she doesn't make cupcakes with detailed iced sugar cookie toppers :) The party was about and for the kids and she wanted to do something that would really get THEM excited - which these did. I give Shay major props for doing something that she knew the kids would love and remember.

What a cute idea! I have to ask how you were lucky enough to meet a great group of moms? I am pregnant now and am a stay at home wife until baby girl comes but I would love to meet women who are also pregnant so we can enjoy the journey together. I live in mckinney as well. How did you all meet?

Hey! We actually all initially met through church. Over the years, we've met friends of friends who we've connected with as well. I feel like having our faith in common has been the foundation for the deep relationships that we've formed. I'd definitely suggest getting plugged in with a Sunday School class with people in your same stage of life if possible :)

I don't know what happened to my comment. Anyway, very cute, fun idea. Love all of the details!! You are a party planner after my own heart!! Might have to do this for my daughter heading off to high school. I love that my kids have life long friends whose moms are friends of mine! It makes growing up together fun! Are most going to the same school?

Andrea, you definitely stand out among the crowd! I found your blog through mix and match mama and I have loved reading about how you make life special for your little ones! You will not regret one moment being so hands on and busy with them :) I know it has been said over and over how fast time goes by, and we typically just kind of nod and smile and say "I know". But as the mother of a soon to be high schooler, I promise that one day those words will really hit home :)